"Calm Down Chair"

If you have been following this blog back when it first began with www.childwithepilepsy.blogspot.com you may remember the 'calm down chair'.

The 'calm down chair' was recently reinstated in our house for Sophia Ann. This is a technique... I don't know where it came from... maybe a combination of a number of things I had seen on television from Super Nanny or Nanny 911, but it is a place where children, Sophia, can go when life is just spinning out of control. When she can't seem to "get a grip"she can go to this spot. A comfortable spot, away from noise, people, distractions. She can sit here with her blanket, her favorite stuffed animal, and maybe a cool drink of water. It is relaxing and she is supposed to breath and calm herself down to a place where life will make a little more sense.

We use this because our overwhelmingly dramatic daughter can have mood swings from her medication. I don't feel comfortable disciplining her for something that she may not be able to control 100%. I don't though, want her to think that the behavior is OK or something that is rewarded. So she can go sit in her 'calm down chair' away from the activity going on until she is ready and Tony or I tell her she can join back in whatever we were doing.

For Sophia the "calm down chair" is a little wooden rocking chair in the corner of her room. It has a pink blanket that stays in her chair. She sits with her pink stuffed pig. Sometimes I will bring her a cup of water to drink. I normally turn the lights off, leaving her 'bravery light' on (we will talk about this one later- but it's multicolored Christmas lights, strung on her headboard of her bed). I close the door and walk away.

This is good for both of us, it reinforces that she will not get attention for this behavior. Teaching her a way to calm herself down. All the while, the 'calm down chair' removes the screaming four year old from under my feet.

Personally, I think everyone needs a 'calm down chair' and I may be using Tony's recliner to do just that during the kids nap time today! I think everyone needs a spot to go and breath until the world makes a little more sense. Heck, I may sit here all afternoon.

me rest!?

I really tried to relax on Monday, but it didn't feel like me. haha! I felt lazy and depressed.

So after a boring Monday morning, the afternoon was filled with errands, housework, and some homework. Even though it was a lazy morning, it felt good to get the house cleaned. The rest of the week has been a blur, between work, school and the kiddies!

Yesterday, we took the kids to Sea World. We love that place. I got a really excellent deal on a 2 year passport to Sea World, Aquatica, and Bush Gardens from my work, so we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and the free time to use our passes. It was a fun day.

Troy has been having terrible allergies lately. His skin is itchy with eczema. His nose is snotty, he is congested, his eyes are itchy. To top it off his allergies have his asthma acting up again. Poor little guy. He seems to do best with hydro-cortisone cream, Benadryl, and breathing treatments. He has been having trouble sleeping though because he gets itchy and his nose is stuffy. I told Tony "we traded cold and flu season for allergy season." We had him back to the pediatrician today. They are going to try another allergy medicine but if this doesn't work he may have to start allergy shots. He also got a RX cream for the REALLY itchy spots. Poor little guy, he's just like his mommy! I have been having allergies as well but my medication helps me, I couldn't imagine feeling as crappy as Troy does and getting no relief.

Sophia has been really enjoying spring break this week. She has slept in until 9 most days. She spent this morning painting with her new Dora paints that my mom brought over for her this morning. She has a small scratch on her ankle that has been causing lots of complaints in the past two days. I really can hardly see it, but that hasn't stopped her from telling everyone about it.

We are going to a birthday party tomorrow. It's just girls so I guess the boys will take a nap since it is right around nap time. It is one of Sophi's little friends. She is having a princess party so all the girls are going to dress up. They will be serving Mac N Cheese at the party too! Yummy!

Sunday we are planning on going to church and MAYBE taking advantage of the Florida resident deal at Gator Land. If you are a Florida resident you can get in for $9.99.

Check out www.gatorland.com Also, if you are active or retired military you can get in for FREE! Just show your military ID.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

One overtired Momma

I have been so overtired lately. Why am I blogging when it is close to midnight then? It is just that this is the only time a lone I have. Time to gather my thoughts, conclude the days events, plan for tomorrow. This mommy thing is overwhelming at times.

I worked last night, got home at 8am this morning, went to sleep for about 45 minutes got up, got the kids ready for a birthday party about an hour away. Went to that until about 2, we went to my mom's house to color Easter eggs. The kids had a blast. We got home at 5, I slept for an hour and a half. Got up, ate a great dinner (black beans, white rice, corn tortillas, thank you Tony!), then got the house clean, kids in bed, then started baking for Easter Sunday. So I am thinking in the last 36 hours I have slept for about 3 hours. I will get some good sleep tonight but yes, this midnight blogging is the only relaxing time I have had recently.

I remember about two years ago I heard a friend of mine say that she was exhausted but was forcing herself to stay awake and watch a movie because it was the only alone time she had to herself. I completely understand what she meant.

Things have been so busy around here. This next week is looking good for some much needed down time! Ahh...

Sneaky Chef

I am not the best cook, nor the organic, health food only mom. But I like a variety. I do enjoy cooking, even though I don't think I'm that great at it. I like quick easy recipes, healthy, but I do let my kids eat chicken nuggets and hot dogs on occasion.
My class this semester is health and well being of children and families. It has sparked a desire in me to have my kids be healthy; physically, emotionally, nutritionally, academically... healthy. Health is more than nutrition; there is so many parts of a person that can be healthy or unhealthy. Now, no, my kids are not unhealthy, but when studying a subject you do realize things that you could do to improve your life. So- in my quest for health. I'd like all of us to eat more vegetables. We don't eat enough veggies. This is not a new revelation, I have been thinking about this for a while. I personally don't like veggies myself and I don't blame my kids that they don't like them either. It is a terrible thing that I have passed onto my kids. Troy is a little more open, more like Tony that way. Troy loves tomatoes, salad, green beans, he's more open than Sophia. Sophia doesn't like an veggies and the only reason she eats green beans is because Tony has her convinced if she doesn't eat vegetables her "butt will get clogged"
(constipated). Lovely right?
So, I heard about Sneaky Chef, actually Deceptively Delicious was the book that I was told about. I went to Books A Million and looked at Deceptively Delicious. It was on clearance for $6.95, score! But the recipes all looked really in depth, and I'm all for quick and easy. One of the sales associates came over to me and suggested Sneaky Chef, apparently it was the original recipe book for sneaking veggies in foods. I looked at Sneaky Chef which was on clearance too, for $5.95, even better! I ended up getting this book because the recipes were easier and I liked the way the book was laid out.
So tonight I made boxed mac n cheese, added orange puree *which is sweet potato and carrot puree, the kids had no idea and LOVED the dinner. We also had chocolate pudding with hidden spinach which was GREAT!
So, I have a new favorite cook book! If you are trying to get your children to eat vegetables and having as hard of a time as I do try the recipes in this book! And yes, I too am loving the recipes and I'm so glad I can eat vegetables and mask the taste, not just for the kids, but for myself!
I can't wait until someday when Sophia asks me for my mac n cheese recipe. Muahhahhahha...

Miami here we come!

I knew this week would be overwhelming.. I feel like this week has been about two weeks long. Tony's birthday was just Monday and it feels like atleast two weeks ago. I am sitting at my computer in the dark, listening to Troy snore, yes Troy, not Tony, Troy... poor kid, asthma has kicked his butt this week.
So I worked the last two nights. Sophia had the firetruck come to her school on Wednesday, totally cool! Thank you to my good buddy Sheryl who was there to take pictures because I was snoozing.
I started my new class, I love it, just wish I wasn't so tired when I was reading, writing, and studying it. It is all about health and wellness of children and families... I can already tell we will be changing some things that we do in our house. Lots of good ideas in my book!
We are getting up at 4am and heading out for south Florida in the morning. We should be down south around 2ish, just in time for the rehearsal, then the dinner. Saturday morning is the wedding, Sunday we will be driving home.
I was looking forward to a short get away even if we would be busy most of the time, but my little boy is so incredibly sick I just want to curl up in the bed with him and sleep for the next three days.
I got a phone call from Tony at work last night that Troy was sick with asthma. His allergies have been really acting up lately causing his asthma to give him trouble. I came home from work at 7am, got Sophi ready for school, called the doctor and made an appointment for Troy to go to the pediatrician. Tony said that Troy was crying "I want to go Doctor" all night. His right eye was swollen shut and his was snotty and wheezing all morning. So.. I slept for two hours and got up to take my little man tot he doctor. I was already thinking that there might be a possibility that we wouldn't be able to go on our trip. I would hate to miss seeing my little 'flower tot' in action but I could send her with my mom if need be. I didn't want to do that though.
Luckily, the doctor saw him and got him fixed up.. he is on the mend. I'm hoping he will be ok during our trip. He has pink eye, an ear infection, serve allergies from pollen, and asthma. He is on breathing treatments every four hours, steroids, antibiotics, and eye drops. You should see the plastic bin of medication that I have packed for this kid.
Well, I am going to go get some packing done and go to sleep. Hoping to be in bed at midnight, wonderful, four hours of sleep! geez!
Pray that we have a safe trip and that Troy has some relief from his asthma please. Thanks friends!
Talk to you soon.

A busy week ahead.

My final paper is due tomorrow for my first class. Then the very next day my next class starts. Those five weeks went by very quickly. Right now I have a low A, I'm crossing my fingers that it will bump up to a high A after I turn in my paper.
Tomorrow is also Tony's birthday! 31 years old! He said last night that turning 30 didn't seem so bad, but 31.. haha, I wonder what he'll say at 40? He is such a turkey. I'm planning to have family over for pizza, cake, and ice cream.
Then work Tuesday and Wednesday...
Thursday I will be doing homework for my new class then packing for Miami.
We are going down south for my cousin's wedding. We are leaving Friday morning at 5am, to be there for the rehearsal at 230pm, then the dinner at 5pm. The wedding is Saturday morning, beachfront at 10am. It will be beautiful I am sure. My little Sophia is going to be the 'flower tot' as she calls herself. Her dress should be here tomorrow. She is very excited about another chance to be in a wedding.
It is a rainy day today. I was doing homework but I needed a break, so I figured I'd update my blog since I don't know if I'll get a chance this week.
We went to church this morning, heard a wonderful sermon, as always. Then I went to lunch with my sister, she is going back to college this week. She has been home all week for spring break. Came home, got the kids down for a nap. Cut some strawberries for their snack and now I'm working on this stinkin' paper! Not much planned for this afternoon, it is rainy and cool outside. We will probably just do laundry and watch a movie, color, maybe make some playdoh if I can find all the ingredients in the house. Low key afternoon, that's how I like it.
Tomorrow morning I have to hit the stores to find something to wear to the wedding. Cross your fingers I find something!
Well, back to homework.
Hope everyone has a great week.

St. Patrick's Day 2010

What a wonderful day we had yesterday!
I came home from work at 7am, got Sophia dressed for her St. Patty's Day party at school. She wore a little green shirt that said, "Everybody loves an Irish Girl" she worse little capri's and a green bow in her hair. She had green and pink socks, with green and pink shoes. Troy wore a green shirt with a monster on it that said, "Feed Me." I took a shower and went to bed. Tony took Sophi to school then he came back for the party at 10am. When they got home from school around noon I was still sleeping... I got up at 1pm and went to the grocery store. I got all the stuff for our St. Patrick's Day dinner; I got all of the things I would need for corn beef with red potatoes and carrots, sauerkraut, and corn muffins. When I got home Sophia Ann was wide eyed- not napping! So I let her help me make the green cupcakes for desert. I was just about to add the green dye to the mix when Troy got up. I told him to come look while I mixed the color in, he peered into the bowl and said, "eww yuck momma!" and took his blanket over his shoulder and went to lay down on the couch. Not exactly the reaction I was looking for. The kids went outside to play and I decorated the dining room with a green table cloth.
Tony did some research about St. Patrick's Day and why we celebrate it. He gave a little speech at dinner time. He loves history so it was nice for him to show off his interests.
Here's a short bit of what he told us....

Patrick was born in Roman Britain. When he was about sixteen he was captured by Irish raiders and taken as a slave to Ireland, where he lived for six years before escaping and returning to his family. He entered the church, as his father and grandfather had before him, becoming a deacon and a bishop. He later returned to Ireland as a missionary, working in the north and west of the island. Legend credits Patrick with teaching the Irish about the concept of the Trinity by showing people the shamrock, a 3-leaved clover, using it to highlight the Christian belief of 'three divine persons in the one God'. St. Patrick died in 493, and by the eighth century he had become the patron saint of Ireland.

The food was delicious.
My mom and sister came over for a plate too. We invited Tony's parents but they were unable to make it. Tony's mom has been selling Mary Kay and she has become quite successful. She had a meeting to go to, so they couldn't come over. My grandma had cooked at her house already so they weren't able to make it either. It was nice though. The kids ate early then they watched a movie that Tony had picked up for Sophia. Tony and I ate together, very nice. I like eating with my hubby and not having to worry with the kids and their mess. By the time we ate, their messes were cleaned up and they were sitting quietly on the couch. Then, my mom and sister came over for their plates on the way to the mall.
It was a late night but very fun. The kids went to bed around 9, then Tony and I watched a movie and went to bed.
Tonight, I have a ton of homework that needs to bed done. I am delaying the inevitable, so I better get to it.

Hope everyone had a very happy St. Patrick's Day!

We moved...

http://stealkisses.blogspot.com/

Please come with us...

You can keep up with us HERE.

Welcome to the new blog.

Welcome to the new blog!
As our lives have changed, we have reinvented ourselves, why not our blog?
I created our family blog to encourage and reach other people with children who had epilepsy. I used it to document seizures and medication changes. I used the blog to update our family and friends about our lives. I used it to journal daily adventures with the kids and all of the little things that didn't seem to matter at that time. I used it to cope during the hard times and celebrate during the joyful ones.
This blog will be the same, only new.
This is a quote by Harrison Ford, "We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance." I like to think that this time in our life is like our second chance.
Change is constant, everything is still changing, still evolving, but we have learned to go with the flow.
I have learned to live in the moment, not just hope for the future. I am not perfect at it but I try a lot harder than I used to.
Sorry to make it tough on you, if you would save this website, I won't be using the other.
Thanks.

Where does the time go!??

Geez!
I have been missing my bloggy friends.
Sickness has been holding our hand thus far into 2010. Still a better year than 2009 though. Between being sick, school, work, and family we have been busy. when I'm not work, doing homework, playing with the kids, or loving or fighting (we go both ways, haha) with the hubby, then I'm sleeping!

Sophia is doing so good. She has continued to be seizure free since the last bout that I blogged about. She is receiving the highest dose of medicine but she still continues to do good with it. She has a 'big ole' swollen lymph node in her neck but we are just watching it for now, more than likely from all the sickness. She is writing her name so good now. She is interested in reading (I think I'm going to get her a tag reader) and loves playing on the computer, with supervision of course. I think it makes her feel grown up.

Troy is doing great. Talking more and more everyday. Sometimes I can't understand him but we are getting there. He is started to show interest in potty training. He still loves his 'bah bah' obsession. He loves for me to hold him like a baby. This is something I struggle with people telling me he is too big for a bottle and all those 'baby ways'. You know what though, he is my baby, he is my last baby and if he wants his 'bah bah' and his mommy to wrap him in a blanket and hold him in the rocking chair I'm gonna do it! There will be a day he won't want me holding him and kissing him so I am going to enjoy it. Anyone who has a problem with that can just take their own kids bottle away and deny rocking their own kids to sleep. Leave my baby alone ;)

I am getting into the swing of things, starting to go back to play dates and story time... doing the fun things that I used to enjoy doing with my kids. Just scheduling it all in with work and school is hard but totally worth it. I am looking forward to Sophia's spring break, not that we are going anywhere special, but just being home together! I miss her when she is at school. It's only until noon but I miss her in the mornings. I am enjoying the time with Troy but I know he can't wait until we go pick sissy up. He gives her the biggest hug when I bring her home. ;) I love that he adores her.

Hope you are all having a good week. <3